2015-10-13
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The court system in England and Wales can be considered as consisting of 5 levels:
Supreme Court (formerly the House of Lords) and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
Court of Appeal
High Court
Crown Court and County Courts
Magistrates’ Courts and the Tribunals Service
There is a similar court system in Northern Ireland and a different court system in Scotland.
Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is the court of final appeal for Commonwealth countries that have retained appeals to either Her Majesty in Council or to the Judicial Committee. It is also the court of final appeal for the High Court of Justiciary in Scotland for issues related to devolution. Some functions of the Judicial Committee were taken over by the new Supreme Court in 2009.
Supreme Court (formerly the House of Lords)
In 2009 the Supreme Court replaced the House of Lords as the highest court in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As with the House of Lords, the Supreme Court hears appeals from the Court of Appeal and the High Court (only in exceptional circumstances). It also hears appeals from the Inner House of the Court of Session in Scotland. Appeals are normally heard by 5 Justices (formerly Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, or Law Lords), but there can be as many as 9.
Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal consists of 2 divisions, the Criminal Division and the Civil Decision. Decisions of the Court of Appeal may be appealed to the Supreme Court (formerly the House of Lords).
Civil Division
The Civil Division of the Court of Appeal hears appeals concerning civil law and family justice from the High Court, from Tribunals, and certain cases from the County Courts.
Criminal Division
The Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal hears appeals from the Crown Court.
